Timmons Group Helps City Prepare for International Race

Share Article

As the city prepares for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, Timmons Group is working on several projects to make city streets better for walking and bicycling.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB)September 30, 2014

Only one year remains until the 2015 UCI Road World Championships are hosted by Richmond, an event that has only been held in the United States on one other occasion: Colorado Springs, in 1986. With thousands expected from across the globe, this international event will take place over nine days and includes traditional road races, individual time trials and team time trial competitions. As the City prepares for such a momentous cycling event, Timmons Group is working on several projects to make city streets better for walking and bicycling.

Two projects currently underway have been branded as RVA Bike-Walk Streets: Jefferson Avenue (Church Hill/Union Hill) and Floyd Avenue (Fan and Museum Districts). The City hired Timmons Group to develop concepts to increase the safety and comfort of people, regardless of their mode of transportation. Neighbors and business owners have played a key role through the design process and will continue to be engaged through the construction phases.

“The Richmond 2015 race puts deadlines on our region, which is a great motivation for quickly improving streets for foot and bicycle traffic,” according to Andy Boenau, leader of Timmons Group’s urban planning practice. “Mayors across the country are talking about the dramatic positive changes when people have viable transportation options beyond a personal automobile. We hope to have a similar before-and-after story after the racing events leave town.”

Another, more regional project is the Virginia Capital Trail, a 55-mile paved pedestrian and bicycle shared-use path that will connect Williamsburg and Richmond along scenic Route 5. Timmons Group has teamed with George Nice & Sons for the completion of the park phase near Dorey and Four Mile Creek parks in Varina. This 3.5-mile section of the trail will be completed before September 2015 and includes a 10-foot wide paved path and bridges for the mixed-use trail.